Media centre

Monday 12 Oct 2009

UNVEILED: NEW STATION AT THE HEART OF IMPROVED WEST HAMPSTEAD INTERCHANGE

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Network Rail has unveiled the first official images of its planned new station building for West Hampstead Thameslink station. 

The new entrance on Iverson Road will increase passenger capacity, ease congestion and improve the interchange with West Hampstead Overground and Underground stations. The project will also complete the new footbridge installed earlier this year, allowing step-free access to all platforms. 

Alongside the new building, Network Rail also plans to make significant improvements to the pavement along Iverson Road and onto West End Lane – providing vital extra room for pedestrians and a new landscaped streetscape on Iverson Road. 

A tree-lined walkway, incorporating existing mature trees and including new cycle racks, will offer a much wider footway and provide a more pleasant experience for people arriving and departing from West Hampstead Thameslink station. In addition, the removal of two commercial units owned by Network Rail on the corner of Iverson Road and West End Lane will eliminate a notorious pedestrian pinch-point and help improve the safety of the junction for pedestrians. 

The station building itself will benefit from a ‘living roof’ planted with flowering sedum plants. Sedum provides an attractive environment for insects and birds, absorbs carbon dioxide and helps retain rainwater meaning that no irrigation is needed. As well as reducing the carbon footprint of the building, the living roof will also provide an attractive view from offices and residential properties on Iverson Road.

Jim Crawford, Network Rail’s major programme director for Thameslink, said: “The congestion-busting Thameslink upgrade will give passengers what they want – longer trains, more seats and better stations. Network Rail’s plans for West Hampstead Thameslink station and the surrounding area will benefit passengers, residents and the environment. Once complete, the station will be brighter, safer and able to handle the extra passengers that the new, longer trains will bring.”

Transport Minister Chris Mole said: “The Government is committed to investing in Britain’s railways and I’m pleased to see work on this £5.5bn programme surging ahead. Step free access and a bigger, better interchange between Thameslink, the Overground and Underground stations will help improve the travel experience for many passengers who use these routes each day."

Belen Martinez, Projects Director at First Capital Connect, said: "The plans for West Hampstead station are transformational - making the station ready for new, longer trains and easing the interchange between train, tube, bus and bicycle."

Network Rail’s proposals are fully integrated with Camden Council’s recently approved plans to improve the streetscape on Iverson Road and West End Lane which will improve the links between the three stations in West Hampstead. On Iverson Road, the council will provide a new pedestrian crossing outside the new station along with improved footways and tree planting. On West End Lane, the footways will be widened and the pedestrian crossings will be improved to make it easier and safer to cross the street.

The project is a key component of the council’s Placeshaping strategy for West Hampstead, which aims to make significant improvements to the area as a whole and to make West Hampstead more pleasant place for residents, businesses and visitors to West Hampstead. Camden Council’s improvements are jointly funded by the council and Transport for London and the project is anticipated to be completed in summer 2010.

The new station and plaza is planned for completion by summer 2010 and the demolition of two commercial units is planned to begin in March 2010. If funding can be secured, then the junction could be upgraded in spring 2011. Network Rail has agreed to forgo the future rent it would otherwise receive on these units in order to deliver the improved wider footways for commuters and residents in West Hampstead.

Network Rail will shortly submit its plans to the London Borough of Camden, but is also keen to hear from local residents and commuters about the new station. An informal drop-in session is being held on Wednesday 21^st October from 2pm-8pm at West Hampstead Library, Dennington Park Road, London, NW6 1AU. All are welcome.

Mr Crawford continued: “Network Rail is excited about its plans for West Hampstead Thameslink station and we think local residents and rail passengers will be too. We want to know what people think about our plans and we look forward to seeing as many as possible at our drop-in session.”